Tag Archives: diy

Girl, I Love Your Nails: Our All-Encompassing Guide to At-Home Manis

For the majority of my life, I was The Girl With The Grubby Nails. Nothing was more satisfying than sitting on my bed, lost in a book, gnawing in a distracted fashion on my tiny nail stubs. Save an ill-advised love affair with acrylic French tips in high school, my nails were largely ignored, left to languish while I concentrated my efforts on mastering liquid eyeliner and figuring out a flatiron.

Enter the $10 manicure, the ultimate lifesaver. For the price of two magazines, three street tacos, an iced tea and a big cookie, my nail game was on point, effectively transitioning me from Not Grown to Almost There. However, my lifestyle often belied my appearance, and I’d ruin manicures regularly, digging in my bag for keys, rustling around for chapstick, and once, just by walking up a flight of stairs. My $10 mani obsession had reached its peak, and it was a waste of money. After hours of internet research, I perfected an at-home mani situation that is fun, and dare I say, relaxing. Let me show you the way. Keep reading »

Manicure Monologue
An inner monologue for all my at-home manicures. Read More »
Manicure Ice Bath
Winona tries out a magical manicure drying ice bath. Read More »
Nail Salon Rudeness
How not to be an awful person at the nail salon. Read More »

Thanks, I Made It Myself: The Ugly Desk Makeover

DIY Desk Makeover

When I was 15 my dad took me to the furniture store so I could get my very own desk. I chose the finest particleboard corner desk my $50 budget would allow, and for the next 13 years, I sat at that desk to to write high school essays, and then college papers, and then blog entries, and then my book. When we moved to Nashville and sold all our furniture, I finally said goodbye to my trusty corner desk, and when we signed the lease on our new house, I decided that my real, grown-up home office deserved a real, grown-up desk.

My vision for my new desk was exactly the opposite of my small, flimsy, wood-like corner desk: I wanted something big, modern, and streamlined. When I found a massive gray and metal industrial-style table on Craigslist for $40 I impulsively bought it, mostly because the people were willing to deliver. But after it had been unloaded and I’d handed them a couple $20s, I had a terrible realization: this desk was really ugly. Keep reading »

Weekend Project: This Awesome DIY Studded T-Shirt

DIY: Polka Dot Jeans
Get this trendy look for less! Read More »
DIY Washer Necklace
Raid the toolbox to make this fabulous necklace! Read More »
DIY: Galaxy Sneakers
These space-print shoes are out of this world! Read More »
DIY: Edgy Friendship Bracelets
Who knew chain and yarn could be so badass? Read More »

Have an old T-shirt lying around that could use a makeover? Toughen up that T with this easiest of easy DIYs: all you need is a handful of rivets and a piece of chalk to map out their placement. I’d style up my studded t-shirt with cutoff jeans (always), black ballet flats, and cat eye sunglasses. Summer fashion with an edge? Yes, please! [Project 22]

Home Inspiration: 7 Stylish Ways To Organize Your Sunglasses

I gave away three-quarters of my sunglasses when I moved, but I still have a substantial hoarding problem collection. If you love sunglasses as much as I do, then you know they’re not just accessories, but works of art that deserve to be displayed! Looking for a fun way to store (and show off) your sunnies that doesn’t involve tossing them on the coffee table? Click on the gallery for 7 cute, easy DIY ideas…

DIY: Makeup Board
Make this awesome magnetic makeup board! Read More »

A DIT (Do-It-Together) Project For You & Your Mom

DIY = DO WHAT?

DIY craftstress Kristen Turner loves making and wearing her own home-crafted jewelry and clothes. But Kristen’s mom doesn’t get the whole DIY thing. “She likes to look at my site and put in orders, like she’s shopping or something,” says Kristen. Can Kristen get her mom to see the crafty light? We shall see, we shall see. [GlitterNGlue]

DIY: Galaxy Sneakers
These space-print shoes are out of this world! Read More »
DIY Washer Necklace
Raid the toolbox to make this fabulous necklace! Read More »
DIY: Glitter Bobby Pins
No excuses, you need these. Read More »

Weekend Project: Organize Your Cluttered Cords

Organize Your Accessories!
Here's how. Read More »
DIY: Shower Stickers
Add a little inspiration to your bathroom tiles! Read More »

This Weekend Project isn’t so much a project as one-step tip that will help you organize the terrifying jungle of cords that are bundled up behind your desk and TV stand. Collect bread tags and label cords at each end to cut out all that time you spend trying to figure out where in the hell your monitor cord ends and your modem cord begins. So simple. So brilliant. [Apartment Therapy]

Weekend Project: DIY Glitter Vases

DIY: Glitter Flats
Learn how to make your own sparkly shoes! Read More »
DIY: Framed Vases
A cute and clever way to show off spring stems. Read More »
DIY: Vodka Cupcakes
I think we all deserve one of these, don't you? Read More »
DIY: Fabric Flower Rings
Perfect for bridesmaids gifts! Read More »

It’s finally that time of year: stores are starting to fill with beautiful spring flowers. Do you have something beautiful to display your blooms? If your definition of beautiful is SPARKLY (as mine is), then you’ll want to check out these super cute DIY glitter vases. In three easy steps, transform a plain ol’ jar or simple glass vase into a shimmering statement piece. [The Sweetest Occasion]

Weekend Project: DIY Shower Stickers

DIY: Galaxy Sneakers
These space-print shoes are out of this world! Read More »

I’m not a big fan of a lot of the text-based decorating trends that Pinterest obsesses over (ahem, “Live, Laugh, Love” wall decals, I’m looking at you), but when I saw these cute DIY shower stickers, I must admit I was thoroughly charmed. I think it’s because, like many people, I do some of my best thinking while I’m lathering up. I’d love to decorate my bathroom tiles with snippets of poetry, math equations, and other words and pictures to rev up my brain in the morning. Plus, this tutorial couldn’t be easier–all you need is a vinyl shower curtain, scissors, and a Sharpie! [Love Maegan]

Weekend Project: Turn An Old T-Shirt Into A Tote Bag

DIY: Galaxy Sneakers
These space-print shoes are out of this world! Read More »
DIY Washer Necklace
Raid the toolbox to make this fabulous necklace! Read More »
DIY: Friendship Bracelets
Make your very own! Read More »

Earth Day is just around the corner, so in the spirit of recycling (and the start of farmers’ market season!), this weekend seems like the perfect time to dig up an old T-shirt and transform it into an easy-to-pack tote bag. Although I would never defile a Zeppelin t-shirt like they do in the tutorial, there’s no sewing required, and all you need is a pair of scissors and a safety pin. Easy and green? Sign me up! [Honestly WTF]

Weekend Project: Make Your Own Faux Druzy Necklace

DIY: Edgy Friendship Bracelets
Who knew chain and yarn could be so badass? Read More »

When I saw these awesome faux druzy necklaces that are actually made with little bits of colored glass, my first thought was, “Awesome!” My second thought was that I need to invite Jessica Wakeman, Noted Druzy Jewelry Enthusiast, over to my house to drink wine and listen to Ke$ha and have a DIY necklace-making party. Jess, let’s do this. [Minted Strawberry]